Cathy Greaves, an American activist in California and Virginia, is participating in Samud, the International Solidarity Fleet, which sailed on September 7th with the aim of breaking the blockade of Gaza in Israel and providing humanitarian assistance, including food and medicine.
Departing from ports such as Barcelona, Genoa, Tunis and Greece, the fleet is expected to arrive in Gaza by mid-September, sailing international waters from Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Gaza. Israeli authorities threatened to arrest participants as the fleet approached the Gaza coast.
In this interview, Greaves shares her motivation to participate in our mission, Israeli policies, Israeli policies and her message to the Iranian people amid continuing sanctions and geopolitical pressures. She speaks openly about the risks involved, her criticism of Western policies, and her commitment to justice and humanitarian support for the Palestinian people.
Below is the interview text.
Introducing yourself and tell us why you are trying to make another voyage to Gaza.
My name is Kathy Greaves, and I’m particularly from California and Virginia.
I am embarking on my fifth voyage to try to enter Gaza. I successfully made it to Gaza in 2008 and had a really great week there. Given the recent events in Gaza, I firmly believe that it could happen again. You need to enter. You need to get assistance. You need to break the blockade. My main concern is that Gazan has no right to freedom of movement.
They are clearly desperately in need of assistance. And since I understood the Zionist Project, I have been deeply pissed off by the government’s involvement, or rather its obedience. We have essentially been handed over to this entity.
Our country effectively follows Zionism as a political agenda. So I’m going – I’m trying to let the people of my country know what’s going on.
Israeli forces threatened to capture people trying to approach Gaza. How much are you interested in your safety?
My family is probably more worried than me. I was captured and imprisoned several times.
But I feel it’s all worth it. Because this is the only way people really understand that this is not the country they used to be, but that we are as responsible as Israel and that it is to stop my country that we can stop them as well. I want them to understand that. Death is probably the biggest risk I’m worried about.
But that’s what brings to the realization of the world. I would also like to offer an apology from my country to your country. So many people in the United States are deeply angry about the bombings that have been given to you and the wars that have been incited against you without a valid reason.
And lies… we live in an age where politicians can constantly vent falsehoods. Now they claim that “Iran tried to kill our president.” These productions are so blatant and ridiculous that we have to turn things around.
Has there been any protests or condemnation in the US following the attack on Iran?
It is interesting that you mentioned the protest. They were happening, and as such they were integrated into a wider protest against Gaza’s genocide. So, yes, there was a protest.
Also, newspapers are essentially government-controlled, even though they are not officially the case. But yes, there was a fair amount of activity – “What are we doing?” – and they did nothing. Many people have said that Netanyahu is all about maintaining power.
There are no details about it, but I knew it was a fake.
Given the ongoing sanctions and the pressure they face from the West, what message do you want to convey to the people of Iran?
In fact, you’ve been greatly praised. Iranians are deeply praised because they recognize you as a target for your independence. You are not fit like other countries in your area. I hope that one day you will be rewarded and respected. I hope BRICS can make a difference.
My current world structure is what I want to see change in the US, as in my opinion, perhaps non-fascists have little benefit. Even if our voices aren’t heard all the time, we hope you will remain strong and know that there are many people in the US who support Iran.
If your corporate media is managed by a Zionist, you cannot rely on it. You have to find other ways, and it’s not easy. But we are not stopped. The truth is true and correct. You are on the right side of history. We are not, and we want to join you there in our country.